Dame Watkins said: “Prince Charles was lovely and much more quietly spoken that I imagined” Caroline said. “He asked a bit about what I did and said he hoped I wouldn’t be retiring anytime soon. I of course assured him that it isn’t on the agenda for quite a while.”

Accompanied by her husband Kevin, son Josh and 96-year-old mum Ivy she saw Ray Davies from The Kinks and a host of Team GB Olympians from Rio 2016 receive their awards.

The moment Dame Watkins received her award

Dame Watkins said: “Both my mum and I wore the hats we bought for my wedding day in 1996. If someone had told me at the time that we would be wearing them again all these years later to visit Buckingham Palace I don’t think I would’ve believed them.

“My mum was absolutely delighted and even managed to get a seat on the front row, which made it even better. It was just a fantastic day, even if I was so nervous beforehand I couldn’t put my nail varnish on properly.”